Week Three

With nearly two weeks left to go in the month of Ramadan, some of us are so used to fasting that it feels almost natural at this point. However for others, the last stretch is usually the hardest – both psychologically and physically. Aside from praying and charity work, we’ve gathered a few ideas this week for you to finish the month doing something productive and just as fun.

Get creative in the kitchen

Give your mom a break from the kitchen. We should all learn how to cook for ourselves, and Ramadan is a great time to practice because most people have enough time between coming home from work and iftar to get creative in the kitchen. And since iftar involves a number of dishes, you can try cooking an entire meal from start to finish.

Once it gets to about two to three hours before iftar, help out in the kitchen. This way, you'll be busy doing a task and won't notice the time passing.

Help out at home

Do chores – broom the house, water the plants, clean your room and so on. Small jobs like this will help your parents out, and help pass time. Your parents will also appreciate your assistance.

Work out before eating

When you haven’t had any food or drink all day, the thought of exercise might sound daunting. However it’s important to maintain an active lifestyle in Ramadan. It's best to work out in the pre-dawn hours, before sehri or at iftar, after drinking water and eating a portion of carbs and veggies, then munching on proteins when you’re done. Light exercises can also help to distract you from thinking constantly about food and drink.

Feed the fasting or homeless

It is said that whoever contributes towards the breaking of someone’s fast is rewarded with the same reward of the fasting person himself. Sharing your iftar really is such an important part of Ramadan. This week, try buying some iftar for those who need it the most. It could be the nearest orphanage or school, or the beggars who live next to your street.

Read

As we said last week, Ramadan is a great time to catch up on your reading. Set a goal for yourself to finish reading a book by the end of this month – be it religious, spiritual or soulful. Not only will you be giving your eyes a break from the constant stream of TV shows, this will also help you focus when the need arises and provide relaxation for your mind and soul. If you’re finding it difficult to find a book you love, think about your favourite TV shows and get a book that revolves around the same theme or genre.

Watch documentaries

If you’re more of a visual person, instead of watching meaningless shows that provide zero added value, give other TV programs a shot. Use Netflix or YouTube to find loads of interesting documentaries that will stimulate your brain and help you learn.